Revermann Recommends: Labor Day a thrilling drama

The movie Labor Day was released in 2013 by Paramount Pictures. Directed by Jason Reitman and based off the 2009 novel by Joyce Maynard, it stars Josh Brolin, Kate Winslett, Gattlin Griffith, and includes a toward-the-end appearance by Toby Maguire. This suspenseful drama takes place in 1987 and might be one of those that flew under your radar, but it’s well worth the watch.

 

Adele (played by Winslett) is a formerly married woman who after a series of miscarriages was only able to birth one child, Henry (played by Griffith). The miscarriages cause Adele to suffer from depression and lead to a divorce so her ex-husband can seek out a new wife to bear him children. The result is she rarely leaves her house, and has difficulties being around other people; despite that, her son Henry is a happy child. He lives full time with his mother and spends the occasional weekend with his dad.

 

With Labor Day weekend approaching, Adele and Henry take a trip to the store for snacks when a dangerous man (Frank, played by Brolin) appears out of nowhere and insists they all leave immediately. He coerces them to take him home with them. The scariest line in this movie is when Frank approaches Adele and says to her while her son is in his hands, “This needs to happen.” There is a harrowing ride home, with Henry and Frank in the back seat, while Adele nervously keeps her hands on the wheel. As the trio make their way to the house and Frank does the last thing either Adele or Henry could’ve expected…

 

There is a tension that appears in the movie with the addition of Frank, and it never leaves, but it does turn into another kind of frustrating tension over the course of the movie. Despite the passing of days, the police in the movie never leave off their search for Frank. Winslet does an excellent job of playing a delicate mother who thought she was too damaged to start over. Brolin’s character keeps it very believable when the mother and son become accepting of his presence, and even begin to reexamine  themselves, and their lives. There are flashbacks for Frank that viewers might find a little confusing, but they are an important part of the story. The book is wonderful to read as well!

 

This is another movie that didn’t do too well at the box office, however, the cinematography is amazing. Despite the sullen atmosphere, there is a lot of sunshine, many kind moments and a beautiful 80s kitchen. This slow burn has a wonderful payoff in the end and is well worth your time. Favorite line: “I had always wondered who you would become, and what you would look like, and then, one day I came across a familiar looking pie.”